This article is not intended to provide medical advice; it is based on one person’s experience with a teething baby
A teething baby is probably also an agitated and difficult baby. And, this can be very trying for new or even experienced parents. To help a baby through the teething process it is important to be aware of it and identify that a baby is having a ‘teething day/s’. Often, parents overlook the fact that a baby is teething and attribute their behavior to other factors such as tiredness, food irritation or just naughtiness.
The teething process varies widely from baby to baby. Some babies are irritated only for the first tooth and then grow accustomed to the new sensations in their gums. Others are irritated for all 20. The teething process may be overnight or it may start months prior to the eruption of the tooth. The symptoms of teething are as varied as the process that each baby goes through. They include irritability, drooling, gnawing, coughing, chin rash, diarrhea, cold like symptoms and disturbed sleep.
There is no set age for a baby to start teething. If a baby starts before 6 months old and he/she has not started solids, breastfeeding is a great way to help soothe the baby. The sucking seems to massage the gums while calming the baby. Another trick to try is a frozen washcloth. Just soak a washcloth with drinking water and place in the freezer. Babies love it as it is cold and moulds itself around their gums. I haven’t mentioned teething rings yet because I have found them to only be effective for short periods of time. It is cheaper and perhaps more effective to clean some of the baby’s plastic toys so that he/she can gnaw on it. Select toys with no sharp edges and no parts that can be pulled off.
For the older baby, breastfeeding and toys are still good techniques. In addition, the baby is now able to have teething rusks. For babies that are already adept with finger foods, try dry toasts or grissini (bread sticks). If you are able to get Rambutans, chill them and hold one to the baby’s mouth to let him/her gnaw on it. The flesh of the Rambutan will not easily come off and the cool, soft texture mixed with the sweet taste will definitely help baby forget about his/her sore gums.
Finally, while all the suggestions above will help soothe the baby’s gums don’t forget that these experiences are new to the baby and he/she may be feeling overwhelmed by them. Cuddles work wonders for a teething baby. If you recognize that your baby is have a teething day/s, spend more time cuddling and being in physical contact with him/her.
For more insights on how I've been dealing with our baby, please visit http://www.the-milk-bar.info
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